Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Silver Tree Visual Arts

Silver Tree Visual Arts is a place where kids will explore REAL art! I love their motto -- "Not Crafts, Creative Thinking". Kids will enjoy weekly classes in painting, pottery or drawing; attend a creative workshop or explore a new art technique during a summer camp. Birthday parties and special seasonal events are also offered throughout the year!

Before Your Visit:

Check the schedule for dates/times of classes & events and be sure to register before your visit.

Only kids are allowed in the studio -- parents are welcome to drop off or wait in the lobby.

The art is very hands-on so dress accordingly!

Explore Art Classes & Events:

A variety of classes are offered including:

Drawing

Painting

Sculpture

Pottery (beginning at age 10)

Students will begin to hone their artistic skills and start to choose which mediums they would like to use in their artwork. The instructors will help students to improve their use of the various tools and materials.

Classes are kept small so the instructor can give more one on one with each student.

Kids will work at their own pace and will also begin healthy class critiques of their classmates artwork.

A Gallery is hosted at the end of each session so kids can show off their work to family & friends!

Special classes can be arranged for children with special needs, scout troops, homeschool groups & private lessons.

Summer Camps offer a variety of opportunities to explore new art techniques!

Birthday Parties

Parties are 1.5 hours and kids can choose their own project (Name canvas, Rainbow Loom) or create a custom party.
Silver Tree will provide the project, table coverings, forks, spoons, napkins & cups. You are welcome to bring any add'l decorations you would like.
Parties begin at $15/child (with a $100 min.) and can host up to 20 kids.
The Birthday child will receive their own t-shirt too!

Learn More about Art:

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters

Kids will enjoy learning about the styles & techniques of 75 great artists along with art appreciation activities.

Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages

Wonderful projects and ideas for creating with all types of mediums!

Discover Art in Kansas City:

For more fun places to explore art around Kansas City, visit these locations:

Explore various types of artwork during a visit to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.

Enjoy a creative art session at Kaleidoscope!

Published in Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Coterie Theatre

Do your kids enjoy the theater? Or maybe they haven't yet seen a live performance? Take them to the Coterie, located in Crown Center, for a great experience. The Coterie Theatre was voted one of the "5 Best Kids Theaters" by Time Magazine. Outstanding shows for the preteen set include:

Before the Show:

Have your child read the book before seeing a play.
Seating is first come, first serve - so arrive early.
Stop at thebathroom before hitting your seats - especially if your kids want a floor seat.
Review theater etiquette - remind kids to stay seated, stay out of the aisles, etc. The Coterie has a great information page.

Performances for 2014-2015:

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat

March 31, 2015 - May 17, 2015

So many antics to follow along with as The Cat, Thing 1 & Thing 2 entertain Sally and Dick for the day. Based on the much loved children's book!

A Year with Frog & Toad

June 16, 2015 - August 2, 2015

A musical adaptation of the book series -- learn how their friendship endures through all types of weather and seasons!

Discover More:

If your kids enjoy the show, try visiting some of the great summer theater shows that Kansas City offers:
- Theatre in the Park - outdoor theater at Shawnee Mission Park with family shows
- Leawood Theatre - one show each summer at the outdoor theater in Ironwoods Park

View Coterie Theatre in a larger map

Published in Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Paul Mesner Puppets

"Zany, crazy and highly entertaining" are a few of the ways to describe a Paul Mesner puppet show! This season's offerings are even more attractive as they are all centered around popular children's books. Kids will love both many of this season offerings:

Before the Show:

2011 - 2012 Performances:

The Nativity

Performances: December 9 - 11, 2011

Strega Nona

Performances: January 25 - February 19, 2012

Rapunzel

Performances: March 7 - April 1, 2012

The Stinky Cheese Man

Performances: June 6 - July 1, 2012

Published in Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Kaleidoscope

What can you create with hot wax in a dark room? Come and find out at Kaleidoscope in Crown Center, a FREE hands-on art studio for kids of all ages. There are all kinds of projects to do, and kids can experience art sessions with their families or on-their-own.

Before Your Visit:

Check the Kaleidoscope calendar for the dates & times of Family or Individual Sessions. Kids ages 5+ can attend Individual Sessions. Each session is approx. 45 minutes long.
Plan to arrive early in the day to get tickets - they are first come, first serve.
Remind older kids that there will be smaller kids in the room, and it may be crowded - so watch where you're going :)

Explore Kaleidoscope:

Some of the projects your kids can enjoy include:

Painting with hot-wax that glows in the dark room.
Create your own picture on cardboard and make it into a puzzle.
Create one of the 'seasonal' projects - sometimes a banner, a hat or a mask - projects change throughout the year.
Use ribbon, stickers and die-cuts - along with markers to create a card or some other amazing picture.
Explore the room - the crazy couch, the 'fun house' mirrors, the nail table - there's lots to explore.

Learn More:

If your kids enjoyed making art, they may also enjoy exploring art at the Nelson Atkins.

View Kaleidoscope in a larger map

Published in Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

View art from around the world with kids at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Use mp3 players for an audio tour the outdoor Sculpture Garden; see ancient art from Egypt, Japan, and China; explore works of art by artists kids have learned about in school; and stop for a snack at the cafe or Rozzelle Court.

Before Your Visit:

Ask your kids about things they may want to see - by now they may have studied a few different artists at school. Find out which types of art or artists they enjoy and visit those exhibits at the museum.
Use one of the Family Guides to the galleries during your visit. This little booklet has some cool activities for kids to do during their visit.You can print them before you go or stop at the main desk to pick one up once you arrive.
Wear comfortable shoes & bring a sweatshirt (sometimes the museum is cool).
If you want to visit any of the special exhibits, make sure to get your tickets.

Explore the Nelson-Atkins:

Take an Audio Tour - download an app or borrow an ipod to experience an audio tour of the artwork.
Sculpture park - walk through the outdoor park and view some unique sculputures. Audio tour is also available for the sculpture park.
Egyptian Art - see a mummy, along with heiroglyphics and some ancient treasures.
Paintings - visit the European Galleryto view some works by famous painters - your kids may recognize some of the artists from art class. Some of the paintings you might consider:
- Water Lilies by Claude Monet
- Olive Orchard by Vincent Van Gogh
- Mont Sainte-Victoire by Paul Cézanne
Colonial & Early American pieces - you've studied American History at school, now come see some paintings, furniture and art work created during those historic times.
Current exhibitions - visit the Chinese Gallery to see some wonderful treasures along with some very impressive statues.
Family Weekends - enjoy activities and crafts on these special weekends. Upcoming topics include medieval knights & chinese dragons.
Rozzelle Court - don't forget to grab a snack and look at the cool architecture in Rozzelle Court.

Learn More:

Visit the online National Gallery of Art's Art Zone where kids can create online masterpieces!

Learn about different painters by playing an online game "The Case of Grandpa's Painting".

Learn to write using hieroglyphics - try creating your name with the symbols.

Read some books about art:

Usborne "Art Treasury" by Rosie Dickins is a great way to learn about famous artists and the types of techniques they use. The book introduces each piece of art, along with some of it's history, and then explains how to make your own masterpiece. It also includes great online resources too.

"From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg is a classic book about a girl and her brother who run away and hide at in a museum in New York City.

All images have been obtained with permission from the Nelson-Atkins online press room.

View Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in a larger map

Published in Ages 9-11 | Museums, Theatre & Arts